Automatic hose-reel.



C. D. MCCONNELL.

AUTOMATIC HOSE REEL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8,1915.

1 ,206,568. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

VII.'

C. D. MCCONNELL.

AUTOMATIC HOSE REEL.

APPLICATION FILI-:D IuIIEs, |915 1,206,563, Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f To all wlkomit may concern:

CHARLES D. MoCONNELIa, OF OSKALOOSA, IOWA, ASSIGNOB 0F GIVE-HALF OFFICE.

'ro JOHN n.

BRYSON, 0F OSIKALCPOSA,l IOWA.

AUTOMATIC HOSE-REEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Application led J une 8, 1915. Serial No. 32,985.

Beit known that I, CHARLES D. McCoN- NELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oskaloosa in the county of Mahaska and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Automatic' Hose-Reel, of which the following is a specification.

rlhis invention has reference to hose reels, and its object is to provide a hose reel which will automatically wind hose thereon with the hose constantly attached thereto and by means of which a supply of fluid may be delivered by the hose when the latter is drawn out.

The present invention is intended more particularly for use in garages and is to be used to supply air under pressure for charging pneumatic tires or for cleaning or other purposes. The structure is also adapted for use for supplying water for washing automobiles and for other purposes. While the hose reel is useful in connection with either air or water as the fluids, it will be considered for convenience of description as being used for supplying air under pressure, but it is to be understood that such restriction in the description in no wise limits the use of the invention to ,supplying air to the exclusion of other fluids.

The present invention'is an improvement upon the device shown in Patent` No. 1,151,890, for a hose reel granted to me on August 31, 1915, and in genera-l the im? provement consists in a construction whereby the cost of manufacture is greatly reduced and the operation is decidedly simplified, without, however, sacrifice of some of the principal features of the structure shown in the aforesaid application.

flilhe resent invention provides a hose reel mounted for rotation in a casing from which one end of the hose having the other end attached to the reel may be withdrawn, such withdrawal causing a rotation of the reel. `Coupled to the reel is a spring-actuated member in a manner to put the spring under tension as the hose is withdrawn, so that on the release of the hose it will be automatically wound upon the reel.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the further understanding that while the drawings show a practical form of the invention, the latter is not coiined'to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modied so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. l

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an edge elevation with parts in vertical section of a hose reel constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 vof Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a rear face View of the spring drum with the cap plate of the spring chamber removed. Fig.

4 is a Section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, with the cap latein place. Fig. 5 is a longitudi'nall iametric section of the carrying hub of the hose reel. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the'right hand end of the structure of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings there is shown y a hollow pedestal 1 provided with a supporting base 2 and odset from one side of this pedestal .is a substantially cylindrical casing 3 having its center close to the 'top of the pedestal 1 and therefore rising to a considerable height above the pedestal. One face of the casing is in the form of a removable plate 4C, whereby access tothe casing ythroughout substantially its whole area is provided.

Formed on the pedestal 1' at a point corresponding to the center of the casing 3 is a boss 5 provided with a tapped socket 6 on the inner face into which Yis screwed a threaded stud 7 formed on one end of an elongated spindle 8 reaching to a point close to the inner face of the plate 4.

Extending axially through the spindle 8 from the outer end of the stud 7 to a point about midway of the length of the spindle is a passage 9 terminating in a radial extension 10 opening at the outer surface of the spindle 8 at a point which may be approximately midway of its length, although exactitude in this respect is of noparticular moment.

Mounted on the spindle 8 is a hub l1 somewhat shorter than the spindle and provided with an axial counterbore 12 extending from other end where the counterbore terminates spindle 8 is a sleeve 16 of somewhat largerI internal. diameter than the spindle 8 and having its outer surface for the greater portion of its length of. reduced diameter to provide terminall outstanding flanges 17v whereby the main portion of the sleeve 16 is spaced on the outside from the inner wall of the hub and on the inside from the spindle 8. The outer ends of the sleeve 16 are recessed, as shown at 18, and the inner end of the gland 15 is recessed, as shown at 19, to receive and hold packing 20 within the chamber 12 between the gland 15 and corresponding end of the sleeve 16 and betweenv the other end of the sleeve 16 and the shoulder- 13, such packing bearing against the inner wall of the hub where counterbored and the outer wall of the spindle 8. The sleeve is provided with a passage 21 through its wall so that the continuation 10 of the passage 9 is always in communicati i 1 with the chamber 12 where surrounding the sleeve 16.

One side of the hub 11 is formed with a radial enlargement 22 into which is screwed one end of a hose nipple 23. Extending through the enlargement 22 in substantially parallelism with the axis of the hub 11 is .a passage 24 communicating with the' nipple 23 and normally closed at its outer end with a plug 25 or otherwise. The passage 23 is provided Witih a continuation 26 opening into the chamber 12.

On the exterior of the hub 11 there is formed a radial flange 27 to which is attached a hose reel 28 conveniently formed of sheet metal fitted to the hub 11 and made fast by rivets 29 or otherwise to the flange 27. The reel is provided with an annular channel portion 30 shaped to receive hose 31 when rolled up on itself into spiral form, and one end 32 of this hose is made fast to the hose nipple ,23, which latter may be of customary shape for the purpose. The other end rof the hose is carried through an outlet funnel or neck 33 formed on the casing 3 at one side and preferably at a point higher than the middle of the casing. The walls of the neck 33 are rounded so as to oder no obstruction to movements of the hose into and out of the casing. That end of the hose remote from the nipple end 32 is provided with a connection 34 which may be of convenient form for attachment to the inner tube nipple of a pneumatic tire, or to receive any suitable form of nozzle, or generally to provide an outlet for fluid passing through the hose The connection 34 may be of the automatic cut-oii'l type which opens on application to an inner tube nipple, or

may be of any known and familiar type for the purpose.

The recess 6 in the boss 5 is madelonger than the stud 7, so as to provide a cavity therein, and this cavity is entered by a passage 35 extending along the boss 5 from the interior of the pedestal and there the passage 35 has secured to it one end of a pipe 36 conveniently carried along the interior of the pedestal 1 to a low point where it may be held in a llug 37 close to the base 2 and' terminates ina coupling 38. In the lower end of the pedestal 1 adjacent to, or even encroaching on the base 2, is an opening 39 which may or may not be closed by a suitable'cover, and through this opening there is introduced a pipe 40 made fast to the coupling 38 and coming from some convenient supply of fluid under pressure, which Huid may be air or water, but which in most cases is air.

The pedestal 1 at an intermediate point in its height has 'another boss 41 thereon and into this boss is screwed one end of a stud 42 constituting a spindle upon which there is mounted a spring drum 43 having its peripheral portion in the form of a spiral or fusee 44. lVithin the drum 43 there is formed a chamber 45 containing a spiral sprinf;` 46 having one end secured to the drum 43, as indicated at 47, and the other end secured to the stud 42, as indicated at 48.

A chain 49 is wrapped around the fusee portion of the spring drum 43 being connected thereto at one end 50, while the other end of the chain is carried about the hub 11 and made fast thereto, as indicated at 51. The arrangement is such that with the spring 46 under a certain tension it tends to wind the chain 49 upon the drum and at the same time through the chain turn the hub 11 and hose reel 28, so as to wind the hose thereon until the end 34 is in close relation to or even lodged within the neck or funnel 33.

In Fig. 1 the end 34 of the hose is shown slightly withdrawn from the neck in order to better display it, but normally it is contained within the neck, although within accessible position.

Communicating at one end with the passage 35 is a pipe 52 extending within the casing 3 to the top thereof where it enters the upstanding extension 53 of the casing, said extension carrying an indicator 54 with which the corresponding` end of thl pipe 52 is connected.

In the normal condition of the parts the hose 31 is wound upon the reel 28 with the greater portion of the chain 49 upon the fusee and the spring 46 under considerable but vreduced tension. The pipes 40 and 36, as well as the hose, are charged with. air under pressure and this air finds its way through the pipe 52 to the gage or indicator 54, so that the observer may ascertain the ico Cil

available pressure of hair;4 The-pipe 36 is in constant communication with the hose by way of the recess 6, passages 9 and 10, opening 21, chamber 12 and passages 26 and 24,' ,which 'latter 'communicate with the hose and such rotation causes a'winding ofV the chain .4:9 upon the hub 11 and an unwinding of the chain from the usee, so that as the 'chain is unwound from the fuseefand increased tension is caused in the spring, the winding leverage of the spring is increased, whereby the applied force necessary is practically constant. When the hose is released the sprin immediately comes into vaction to turn the usee in the opposite direction, thus winding the chain thereon and in turn un'- winding it from the hub 1l, causing the reel to turn ina direction to wind the 'hose thereon. There is therefore provided any automatically operating structure tending at all times to keep the hose wound upon the reel out of the way and out of danger of injury and also ready for instantuse when needed.

The pedestal, base and casing or housing may be made in the main in the form of a casting with the face plate 4 and the cover for the opening 39 when provided made separately from the casting, so that the main portion of the structure need not include more than three pieces, or if the covering for the opening or hand hole 39 be omitted, the body of the structure need consist of but two pieces. The hose reel can be conveniently made of sheet metal, -while the hub ll may be a casting properly cored and bored.

The spring may be of a size to cause about two revolutions of the spring drum and with x the reel hub properly proportioned to the drum the hub and the reel thereon will make about seven or eight revolutions, so that such a movement willcause a winding up of thirty-five to forty feet of hose, such length of hose beingl ample for the purpose, and permitting the use of the hose either for blowing or washing purposes all about an automobile.

What is claimed is l. A hose reel structure comprising a carrier, a spindle on the carrier provided with a fluid conducting passage, a hose reel having a hub portion mounted and rotatable on the spindle and provided with a fluid conducting passage for connection to a supply of fluid and to hose on the reel, and a fusee spring drum on the carrier provided with flexible connections to and windable upon the hub of the hose reel to provide yieldable meansor rewinding hose on and connected to the drum when said-hose is withdrawn` from the drum.

2. A hose reel structure comprising a support inthe form of a hollow standard, a stationary spindle on and inclosed by and fast to one endvof the standard and when inthe installedl position extending substantially horizontally, said spindle beingprovided with an axial internal passage for fluid under pressure, a hose reel having a hub mounted on the spindle for rotation' thereon and provided with a bore communicating with the internal passage of the spindle, a casing on one side of the standard inclosing the reel, hose connections on the reel icon'imunicating with the bore of the hub, and a. fusee spring drum and flexible connections therefrom to and windable upon the hubA of the hose reel and housed in the standard.

3. A hose reel structure comprising a carrier having one end adapted to be fixed to a support, a spindle on the other end of the carrier and provided with a fluid conducting passage, said spindle being arranged to extend substantially horizontally when in the installed position, a hose reel having a hub portion mounted and rotatable on the spindle and provided with a fluid conducting passage for connection to a supply of fluid and to hose on the reel, and means on the carrier having flexible connections to and windable upon the hub of the hose reel and having a normal tendency to rotate the reel in a direction to wind hose thereon and yieldable to the withdrawal of hose from the reel.

fl. A hose reel structure comprising a car- Y rier or support, astationary spindle on and fixed to the support and extending horizontally in the installed position of the support, said spindle having a passage extending from one end part of the way through it and opening at the surface of the spindle, means for the connection of a supply of fluid under pressure to the passage in the spindle,a hub mounted for rotation on the spindle and having an interior chamber communicating with the passage through the spindle. said hub havinga hose connection communicating with the chamber, a hose reel carried by the hub and adapted to have a hose wound thereon with one end fast to the hose connection and the other end accessible, and packing means within the hub about the spindle. said packing including a spacing sleeve within the interior chamber and a gland carried by the huh and surrounding the end of the spindle remote from the end fixed to the support.

5. hose reel structure comprising a hollow pedestal with a substantially cylindrical casing supported thereon to'one sideV of said pedestal with the center of the casing at apf chamber communicating With the passage through the spindle, said hub being provided With a hose connection communicating with said chamber, a hose reel carried by the hub, a hose fastqat one end to the hose connection and normally Wound on the reel with the other end accessible at one side of the casing, and a spring and spring drum mounted in the pedestal and connected to the hub for actuating the reel in a direction to Wind the hose thereon. f 3

6. A hose reel structure comprising a casing and a pedestal support therefor, a stationary spindle carried by and fixed tothe pedestal and extending into the casinga hub rotatably .mounted on the spindley and having an axial bore of greater diameter, a sleeve with flanged ends housed in the hub, packing engaging the ends of the sleeve, and a packing gland entering the hub at one end, said hub being provided with a hose connection communicatingwith the interior of the hub Where housing the sleeve, and the spindle having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of the hub Where housing the sleeve, means within the pedestal for supplying fluid under pressure to the passage in the spindle, a spring in the pedestal provided with a spring drum and connections therefrom to the hub, a hose reel mounted on the hub and rotatable therewith, and a hose carried by and adapted to be wound upon the reel and having one end connected to the hose Vconnection on the hub.

7 A hose reel structure comprising a casing and a pedestal support therefor, a stationary spindle carried by and fixed to the pedestal and extending into'the casing, a hub rotatably mounted on the spindle and having an axial bore of greater diameter, a sleeve with flanged ends housed in the hub, packing engaging the ends of the sleeve, and a packing gland entering the hub at one end, said hub being provided with a hose connection communicating With` the interior of the hub Where housing the sleeve, and the spindle having a passage therethrough com.

municatng With the interior of the hub.

ed to be Wound upon the reel and having one' end coniected tothe hose connection of the hub, the other end of the hose reel being provided with aconnection member and the casing having an' opening through one side -for the passage of the hose.

8. A hosereel structure comprising a casing and a pedestal support therefor, a stationary spindle carried by and fixed to the pedestal and extending into the casing, a

hub rotatably mounted on the spindle and A having an axial bore of greater. diameter, a sleeve With flanged ends housed in the hub, packing engaging the ends of the sleeve, and a packing gland entering the hub at one end, said hub being provided With a hose connection communicating with the interior of the hub Where housing the sleeve, andthe spindle having a passage therethrough communicating with the interior of the hub Where housing the sleeve, means Within the pedestal for supplying fluid under pressure to the passage in the spindle, a spring in the pedestal provided with a spring drum and connections therefrom to the hub, a hose reel mounted on the hub and rotatable therewith, and a hose carried by and adapted to be Wound upon the reel and having one end connected to the hose connection on the hub, the other end of the hose reel being provided with a connection member and the casing having an opening through one side for the passage of the hose, said casing also being provided With a gage and connections therefrom to the means for supplying fluid under pressure.

In -testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES D. MCCONNELL.

Witnesses:

FRANK T. NASH, J. M. BRYsoN. 

